Bobbin winding machine and bobbin supply means therefor



Feb. 3, 1953 y i B. A. PETERSON 2,627,380

BoBBIN wINnING MACHINE AND BoBBIN SUPPLY MEANS THEREFOR Filed July 19,1947 1s sheets-sheet 1 M N i ATTORNEYS Feb. 3, 1953 v B. A. PETERSON2,627,380

BOBBIN WINDING MACHINE AND BOBBIN SUPLY MEANS THEREFOR Filed July 19,1947 y 1 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 o JNVENTOR. Burt A. Peterson ATTORNEYS Feb. 3,1953 aA, PETERSON BOBBKIN WINDING MACHINE AND BOBBIN SUPPLY` MEANSTHEREFOR Vl5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 19, 1947 INVENTOR.

Burt A. Peterson PAQ.

ATTORNEYS` Feb. 3, 1953 B. A. PETERSON 2,627,380

BOBBIN WINDING MACHINE AND BOBBIN SUPPLY MEANS THEREFOR Filed Ju1y19,1947 4 15 sheets-sheet 4 JNVENTOR.

Pc tersa/1 ATToRNE Y6 15 Sheets-Sheet l5 INVENTOR. ur )Deca/Son ATTORNEYFeb. 3, 1953 B A PETERSON BOBBIN WINDING MACHINE AND BOBBIN SUPPLY MEANSTHEREFOR Filed July 19, 1947 Feb. 3,` 1953 `la. A. PETERSON 2,627,380

BoBBIN wINDING MACHINE AND BoBBIN SUPPLY MEANS THENEFOR Filed July 19,1947 13 sheets-sheet e INVENTOR.

Bl/rt. A. Pete/soa Y A ATTO/RNE@ Feb. 3, 1953 B. A. PETERSON BOBBINWINDING MACHINE AND BOBBIN SUPPLY MEANS THEREOR Filed July 19, 1947 15sheets-snaai 7 ATTORNEYS Feb. 3, 1953 BOBBIN wINDING MACHINE: AND BQBBINSUPPLY MEANS THEREFOR Filed July 19, 1947 13 Sheets-Sheet 8 Fei). 3,1953 E. A. PETERSON BOBBIN WINDING MACHINE AND BOBBIN SUPPLY MEANSTHEREFOR 15 Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed July 19, 1947 INVENToR.

H O o f e d P A. .E F U B A TTORNE YS BOBBIN WINDING MACHINE A ND BOBBINSUPPLY MEANS THEREFOR Filed July 19, 1947 Feb. 3,` 1953 B. A. PETERSON15 sheets-sheet 1o l INVEN TOR. Peterson mgulva. #w94 A TTORNE'YS Feb.3, 1953 Y B. A. PETERSON 2,627,380

BOBBIN wINDING MACHINE AND BOBBIN SUPPLYl MEANS THEREFOR Filed July 19,1947 13 Sheets-Sheet 11 f1.1 ,JM/.4; (Mp.

Feb. 3, 1953 B. A. PETERSON BOBBIN WINDING MACHINE AND BOBBIN SUPPLYMEANS THEREFOR zmlduuly'w, 1947` 15 sheets-sheet 12 A l/5 F' .24. "7 ma//4 o /lg 7 f// ///5 To LINE A T TORNE YS Feb. 3, 1953 B. A. PETERSONBOBBIN WIN-DING MACHINE AND BOBBIN SUPPLY ME'ANs THEREFOR Filed J`u1y19,1947 13 Sheets-Sheet 13 Patented Feb. 3, 14953 Bonnin WINDING MACHINEAND BoBBlN SUPPLY MEANS THEREFOR Burt A. Peterson, Rockford, Ill.,- assignor Ito Barber-Colman Company, Rockford, Ill., a corporation ofllnois Application July 19, 1947, serial No. 762,146

, 26 Claims. 1

The invention pertains to bobbin winding machines of the type comprisinga plurality of winding units disposed in laterally spaced relation andarranged for operation simultaneously in successive cycles to'pro'ducelling Wound bobbins, and has more particular reference to the supply ofempty bobbins to the respective Winding units.

The primary object of the'inv'ention is to pro.- vide in combinationWith a* multiple unit Winding machine having a plurality of Windingspindles arranged forsimultaneus operation, a bobbin supply mechanismoperative automatically in timed relation to the cyclic operation of themachine to insure at all times the supply to the respective units algroup of` bobbins" .of a number corresponding to the number of units ofthe empty bobbins into Winding position.

Another object is to provide in an automatic multiple unit Windingmachine having an empty bobbin magazine common to the several units, abobbin supply mechanism operative in timedl relation to thesuccessivewinding cycles to' deliver a predetermined number of bobbinsto the magazine and to transportthe same automatically to the severalWindingv units fork simultaneous movement into Winding position.

Another object is to provide in .combination with a multiple unit bobbinWindingtm'achine of the character set forthf means whereby emptybobbins. are Withdrawn from a supply: hopper and delivered nrst toamagazine'and then toxa :transport conveyor for presentation to' theseveral Winding units, rtogether with' means for correlating thedelivery o'f bobbinsto the'magazi'n'e and the releasethereofsuccessively tothe transport conveyor so aste insure the-delivery tothe conveyor at all timesofa group of bobbins of the numbercorresponding' to the num-ber' of winding units.

Still another object istoprovide a bobbinsupply mechanism for aWindingfmachine including a'transport conveyor', a magazine fromV whichthe bobbins are released one at' al time to the conveyor and a supplyconveyonfor deliveringbobbins to the magazine, togethervvith; meansvcontrolling theoperation of Vthe two conveyors so as to insure that insuccessive cycles-'of the Winding machine a predetermined number Yofbobbins Will be delivered'tothemachine A l l A- further object'isitoprovide an emptyf bobbin supply mechanism including'l'ajhopper-,in whichempty bobbins are placed!y in random rela-tion;- a conveyor, and meansyof arr-advantageous character for ensuringthe effectual Withdrawal ofbobbins from the hopper by '-t-he conveyor.

Another object is to prov-ide,l in-v combination vvith a conveyor"byfwhich the bobbins' are-withidravm from the hopper,` ejector meansoperative to disengage from the conveyor and, return to the hopper anybobbins which may be positioned improperly on the conveyor.

The objects of the invention thus generally stated, together with otherand ancillary advantages, are attained by the construction andarrangement shovvnby Way of illustration in the accompanying drawings,in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary front yelevational View of a multiple unit`bobbin Winding machine and its associated bobbin supply mechanism.

Fig. 2 is a sectional View taken approximately in the plane of line'2J-f2 of Fig. .1 Vand showing on an enlarged scale the construction ofthe supply conveyor,

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional View on a `somewhat larger scale takenapproximately on the plane of line 3-.3' of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary detail View partially in section showing a meansfor clamping the empty bobbins in their passage through the magazine.

Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional'` view through the empty bobbin hopperand taken approximately in the plane of line 5-5 vof Fig. 1.

Figs. 6 and 7` are fragmentary .views illustrating the operation ofejectingbo'bbins improperly positioned on the supply conveyor.

Fig. 8' is a fragmentary side' elevational view cfthe empty bobbinhopper and supply conveyor withn its associated ejecting means.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary perspective View of an agitating mechanismemployed in the bottom of the hopper to facilitate the' positioningofbobbins onto the supply conveyor. Y

flig.v 10 isa fragmentary side' elevational view showing the transfer ofempty' bobbins .to the magazine andilIuS'tra'ting in particular anVescapement mechanism controllingA the entry of bobbins intothefmaga'zinel Fig. V1l is a fragi'nenta'ryl plan' View'r of themagazine, the escape'ment' mechanism, .and ,the means for deliveringbobbins toithe magazine.

Fig. l2 is a transverse.sectional View showing a control switch andfeeler operatively associated with one of theA escapemeritzfingers andforming a part of the control" mechanism.

Fig. 13 is a' fragmentary front elevational View showing a, modifiedforni of magazine in association with the supply conveyor and thetransport conveyor.

Fig. -13a` is a detail view showing the manner in which the Ybobbins areguided' into the magazine.

Figl 14' is a transverse' sectional'view taken .approximately inthe`plane of `line ,l #+4141 of Eig-13.

Eig. 15 is' a fragmentary vertical se'ctional view through |themagazine'taken-in the plane of line [f5-l5 of Fig.V 13. Y f

Fig'. 16 is a fragmentary Yperspectivegvieyv illustrating a mechanicalcontrol mechanism Vfor a supply mechanism of the type shown in Figs. 13to 15.

Fig. 17 is a fragmentary detail view of a feeler mechanism for detectinga filled condition of the magazine and operative to control the deliveryof empty bobbins thereto.

Fig. 18 is a fragmentary front elevational view on a reduced scaleshowing a bobbin winding machine and associated empty bobbin supplymechanism incorporating the mechanical control.

Fig. 19 is a fragmentary front elevational View of the transportconveyor in association with one of the winding units of the machine andalso showing a part of the mechanical control mechanism.

Fig. 20 is a fragmentary side elevational View of the magazine and theassociated feeler mechamsm.

Fig. 21 is a fragmentary detail View showing the feeler mechanism inplan.

Fig. 22 is'a fragmentary plan view of a portion of the mechanicalcontrol and showing particularly a clutch control mechanism for drivingthe transport conveyor.

Fig. 23 is a fragmentary front view of the parts shown in Fig. 22.

Fig. 24 is a schematic view and wiring diagram illustrating anelectrical control mechanism for use in the embodiment shown in Figs. 13to 15, inclusive.

Fig. 25 is a similar view with the control mechanism modified inaccordance with the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 tov 12, inclusive.

The invention concerns a bobbin winding machine of the type disclosed inMarcellus Patent No. 2,409,639, dated October 22, 1946, and comprising aseries of winding units I4 disposed in laterally spaced relation andoperative simultaneously in successive cycles under the control of acycling mechanism I enclosed within a suitable housing at one end of themachine. More particularly my invention pertains to a winding machine of|the above character modified as described in my copending applicationSerial No. 627,121, filed November 7, 1945, now abandoned, so as toinclude a transport conveyor I6 having a series of bobbin receptaclesI'I thereon spaced apart according to the spacing of the winding unitsand adapted to receive empty bobbins b from a magazine common to theseveral units and positioned at one end of the conveyor. In Figs. 1 to12 I have shown a magazine I8 in which the bobbins are arranged in avertical stack, and in Figs. 13 to 15 a magazine IB' receiving andstoring the bobbins in a spiral stack. Transfer devices I9 are providedfor the several units and these ldevices are arranged for actuationsimultaneously by means of a cam 20 forming part of the cyclingmechanism I5, the arrangement being such that upon the movement of agroup of bobbins into positions adjacent the respective winding units,the transfer devices I3 are actuated to carry the bobbins from theirrespective recepftacles into winding position all as set forth in saidcopending application.

In accordance with the present invention, means is provided forsupplying empty bobbins to the magazines I8 or I3 and releasing them oneby one to the receptacles I'I of the transport conveyor I6 in propertimed relation to the cyclic operation of the winding machine, so thatduring one winding cyclea group of bobbins is withdrawn from themagazine and moved into position for transfer to the winding unitspreliminary to the succeeding cycle.

The bobbins are delivered to the magazine by means including a supplyconveyor 2l associated with an empty bobbin hopper 22 and operative towithdraw bobbins one by one from the hopper and deliver the same to themagazine. As shown, the supply conveyor is in the form' of an inclinedelevator operative to discharge the bobbins onto a runway or slide 23 bywhich they are carried to the upper end of the magazine I8.

Operation of the two conveyors in proper timed relation to each otherand to Ithe winding machine is governed by a control mechanism which maybe mechanical in character as shown in Figs. 16 to 20, or electrical asshown in Figs. 24 and 25. To avoid possible injury to the bobbin supplymechanism, due to improperly positioned bobbins on the supply conveyor2l, the latter has associated therewith an ejector 24, the function ofwhich is to dislodge from the conveyor any bobbins improperly positionedthereon and to return such bobbins to the hopper 22.

The bobbins b are regularly equipped with a plurality of steel rings cencircling the butt ends. Preferably, these rings are utilized insupporting and guiding the bobbins into and through the magazine. In theembodiment of my invention shown in Figs. 1 to l2, inclusive, themagazine I8 stores the bobbins in a vertical stack with the bobbinshorizontally disposed. It comprises a pair of vertically disposed bars25 spaced apart laterally a distance corresponding to the diameter ofthe butt ends of the bobbins but less than that of the rings c, and asecond pair of bars 26 also spaced apart but in this instance accordingto the diameter of the bobbins adjacent their tip ends. These bars aredisposed forwardly of an upright frame 2l and suitably secured to thelatter. At their lower ends (Figs. 1 and 3) the bars 25 and 25 aredisposed above one end of the transport conveyor I3 and in spacedrelation thereto so as to permit of travel beneath the bars of thebobbin receptacles I'I on the conveyor. At their upper ends the bars 25curve forwardly and somewhat upwardly for connection with spaced siderails 23 inclined downwardly and rearwardly, the spacing of the siderails 28 like that of the bars 25 corresponding to the diameter of thebutt ends of the bobbins so that the bobbin rings c engage with theupper surfaces of the rails and thus support the bobbins for movementalong the rails. At their upper forward ends the rails 28 curvelaterally as shown at 29 (Figs. 3 and 11) and connect with a pair ofbars 30 spaced apart according to the spacing of the rails 29 andconstituting the inclined slideway 23.

Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2, the supply conveyor 2| by which theempty bobbins are delivered to the slideway 23 comprises an upwardly andlaterally inclined frame supported by uprights 3| on a base frame 3Ia.The conveyor frame consists of a pair of angle bars 32 and cross plates32a supporting a slide plate 33 slotted for the passage of a series ofbobbin seizing devices or hooks 34 mounted at spaced intervals on anendless conveyor chain 35 running over sprockets 3S and 36a mountedrespectively at the upper and lower ends of the frame. The uppersprocket is driven by a motor 31 through a speed reducer 31h having abelt and pulley connection 3Ic with the sprocket shaft 36D.

The bobbin seizing devices 34 are herein shown (Fig. 2) in the form ofU-shaped clips composed of two strips of sheet metal having portions 38forming the links of the chain, the two strips being brought together atone side of the chain accesso r to form a shank 39 traveling in aY slotl0 in the slide plate 33.

The hopper 22 (Figs. 1 and 5). associated with the lower portion of thesupply conveyor is open at its upper end for the introduction of theempty bobbins and is provided with an upwardly and laterally includedslot 4i for the passage of the chain hooks or clips 34. Inasmuch as thebobbins When thus introduced are disposed inrandom relation, the hopperis shaped so as to cause, the bobbins to gravitate toward the slot 4l.Thus it comprises two opposed V-shaped or trough-like lower portions 42and 413 converging at the bottom of the hopper and having sides 42a and43a merging with the vertical side walls 44. The slot 4| for the passageof the clips 34 on the chain is formed in the bottom of the troughportion 43` which is Vinclined to conform to the inclination of theconveyor 2l and its frame 32.

To facilitate seizure of bobbins by the clips 34, means is provided atthe bottom of the hopper which, in general, serves to agitate thebobbins and to position them in alinement with the conveyor. This meanscomprises a pair of segmental plates 45 mounted upon a shaft 46 (Fig. 9)journaled in a bracket 41. On a parallel shaft |18 are mounted a pair ofcams 49 operating upon rollers carried by the respective plates d5, therollers being urged toward the cams by means of springs 5l. the wall ofthe hopper, and the blades are arranged for operation through spacedslots 52 in the bottom of the trough portion 42, the length of stroke ofeach plate being such that in its lowermost position the plate iswithdrawn to a position substantially flush with the walls of thetrough. The two plates 45 are spaced apart a distance somewhat greaterthan the diameter of the butt ends of the bobbins, and they are raisedand lowered in succession in the rotation of the shaft 48. The lattermay be driven in any suitable way. As shown, it has a belt and pulleyconnection 53 with the lower sprocket 33a of the conveyor.

It will be .observed from Fig. 5 that the plates 45 serve to form anarrow channel in the bottom of the hoppen the plates forming movable4side walls alternately withdrawn from the hopper so as to open the samelaterally and permit movement of the bobbins into the channel. Thebottom of the channel is formed by the bottom of the trough portion 42of the hopper and, being inclined downwardly and laterally, bobbinsreceived into the channel slide downwardly for engagement by the clips34 moving upwardly along the slot 4l inthe bottom of the trough portion43. Since the side portions of the clips 34 are spaced apart a distancecorresponding to the 'diameter of the butt ends of the bobbins, but lessthan the rings c thereof, the latter are engaged by the clips so thatthe bobbins are withdrawn upwardly by the conveyor.

It has been found in practice vthat in the withdrawal of bobbinsproperly positioned within the clips, other .bobbins not properlypositioned are also apt 'to be withdrawn. In this connection,

' reference is made to Figs. 6 and 1 'of the ydrawings showing bobbinsvarranged in various positions on the conveyor. To remove suchimproperly positioned bobbins and to return them to the hopper is thefunction of the -ejector 24. This device comprises a rotary brush 5'4mounted Von a swinging frame 55` '(Fig. 8) pivoted at 56, the free endof the frame and therefore the brush '54 The bracket 41 is mountedadjacent being held by the a-ction of gravity in yieldable relation -tothe conveyor. To assist; the action` of gravity, a spring 51 may beemployed. Movement of the brush 54 towardv the conveyor is limited by astop 58 adjustable so as to position the brush in variably spaced'relation to the slide plate 33, the preferred spacing .being somewhatliess than the diameter of the butt end of the bobbin. It will `'be seenthat in the event a bobbin is not properly `positioned on the conveyor,e. g., with the rings yc engaging the side portions of.` the clip 'as inFig.A 6.,-or resting upon another bobbin. as in Fig. '1, the bobbin willbe supported in spaced relation to the slide plate 33 and when thussupported will be engaged by the brush 54' and elected from theconveyor.

The .brush 54 may be driven in any suitable way. As shown (Fig. 1)..itis. driven by the, conveyor drive motor 31V through` the speed reducer3111,. ther latter havingv a belt and pulley connec- -ti-on 6I with anidler 6.2 coaxial with the pivot 56 of the frame. The idler in turn hasa belt and pulley connection 63` with the brush. In practice, the brush54' is rotated rapidly so. that the improperly positioned bobbins areejected with considerable force. For this reasonl the hopper 22 isconstructed to provide an upward extension E34 (Fig. 1) open at the sideadjacent the brush and having a back stop 65 in opposed spaced rela-Ition to the brush which is struck by the ejected bobbins, the latterfalling into the hopper. To assist in retaining the bobbins properly onthe convey-or after passage beneath the brush, the frame 55 isPreferably equipped with a yeldable pressure member in the form of" apivoted flap te (Fig. 8).

When the bobbins reach the top of the supply conveyor 2l, they aredischarged onto the inclined slideway 23. In View of the spacing of thebars 30` thereof, the tip ends of the bobbins fall -by gravity throughthe. slot formed between the bars and the bobbins move by gravity alongthe slideway 23 and thence onto the rails. 28 (Figs. 3 and 10.) whence4they move into the magazine over the upper curved portions 25a thereof.vTo dampen the swinging motion of the bobbins as the tip ends thereoffall by gravity through the slots formed between vthe bars 30 of theslide 23, the latter is preferably equipped. with a flap 61 pivoted onthe bracket 38 in overlying 'relation to Ithe slideway and yieldablyengageable with the butt ends of the bobbins.

Empty bobbins pass into and through the magazine under the control of anescapement mechanism. Movement of bobbins into the magazine iscontrolled by a pair of escapement yfingers 69, 10, release of bobbinsfrom the magazine is under the control of a pair of escapement fingers1|, 12, whileV movement downwardly in 1the magazine is governed by aseries of fingers 13. The fing-ers 69, 10 and 1.3 are mounted on avertical rockshaft 11, and the two lower fingers 1l, 12 are mounted on arockshaft 11a alined with the shaft 11.

The rockshaft 11 is driven by the supply conveyor by means of a shaft 18(Figs. 3 and 25) having a gearing connection 18a with the upper sprocketshaft 36b-of the conveyor, and a crank 'and pitman connection 19 Withthe rockshaft. The lower rockshaft 11a has a-crank and pitman connectionwith idler sprocket vshaft f8`| of the transport conveyor.

Referring now to Figs. 3, 10 Vand 11, the uppermost escapement fingers63 and 10 are made 4of a length somewhat `Agreater than the Yo'i'fherescapement fingers so as to extend into oper-ative yassociation with thebobbin supported on the rails 28; and the uppermost nger 69 is madesomewhat longer than the adjacent finger 10. Both fingers have bent endportions 8| and 82 movable through slots 83 in the rails 28. As seen inFig. 10, the bent portions 8|, 82 are in this instance spaced apart adistance sulcient to allow passage of two lbobbins at a time into themagazine.

The lower escapement fingers 1|, 12 are spaced apart vertically adistance corresponding to the diameter of the butt ends of the bobbinsso as to permit 'the release of bobbins from the magazine one at a time.The intermediate fingers 13 on the other hand may be spaced apart asubstan- -tially greater distance (a suitable multiple of the bobbinhead diameter). In order to control the descent of the bobbins throughthe magazine and to maintain them in a substantially horizontalposition, each of the lower and intermedi- -ate fing-ers have bent endportions 74 (Fig. l1) for engagement by the tip ends of the bobbins, andarms 'i5 for engagement by the butt ends.

Upon entering the magazine, the bobbins shift their positions from asubstantially verti-cal or upright position into a horizontal position.Thus, as the bobbins escape past the upper set of fingers 69, 'I0 theypass onto the curved portions 25a of the bars 25 and then into thevertical portions of the ways formed between the bars. In -this lattermovement, the bobbins assume a horizontal position due to the fact thatthe tip portions of the bobbins first engage with 4the bent ends 'It ofthe uppermost fingers 13, while the head ends continue to fall untilthey rest upon the arms 'i5 4rearwardly of said bent ends. To preventthe bobbins from moving rearwardly while passing over the curvedportions 25a of the tracks 25, the magazine is provided with a curvedguide 84 for engagement by the head ends of the bobbins.

Owing to the fact that the bobbins enter the magazine at random withoutregard to the operation of the upper fingers 69, 1i), the latter aremounted so as to be capable of yielding relative to the rockshaft. Forthis purpose, each nger has a yieldable driving connection with therockshaft 'H comprising a collar St fast on the rockshaft and carrying apin 81 connected by a contractile spring 88 with a pin 81a on theescapement finger. The pin 8'! projects through a slot 83a in thefinger, and the arrangement is such that when the finger is blocked byengagement with a bobbin, the shaft is permitted to rock without turningthe fingers, the spring yielding to permit the pin 87 to turn in itsslot.

To facilitate entry of the lower escapement fingers 1|, 'i2 and theintermediate escapement fingers 'I3 between adjacent bobbins in themagazine, means is provided for clamping such bobbins in horizontalpositions just before the nngers enter their positions between thebobbins. For this purpose, I employ a cam actuated clamping member 89(Figs. 3, 4 and 11) In the present instance, the clamping member isgenerally U-shaped in form (Fig. 4) and is mounted to slide betweenspaced parallel guides 90 forming part of the magazine frame 2'1. Atvertically spaced points, the clamping member carries a plurality of camblocks 9| (Fig. 4) each engageable by a roller follower 92 on an arm 92afast on the rockshaft 11. A contractile spring 93 holds each cam blockagainst its roller follower and the arrangement is such that when theshaft TI is rocked in either direction to carryV a set of ngers intoactive positions, the roller followers engage their respective camblocks to force the clamping member 89 against the butt ends of thebobbins, forcing the bobbin rings c against the bars 25 (Fig. 4). Asshown at BSU, in Fig. 3, the upper end of the clamping member 89 ispreferably rounded to guide the dropping bobbins so as to position theirbutt ends forwardly of the clamping members and against the bars 25.

In Figs. 13 to 15, I have shown the modied form of magazine I8'. In thisinstance, the magazine is constructed so that the bobbins move in aspiral path 95 from the top to bottom of the magazine and arefrictionally supported in vertical position so as to retard the descentof the bobbins through the magazine. Owing to the spiral arrangement ofthe bobbins, the capacity of the magazine is substantially increased.

The magazine is generally cylindrical in form and, as shown in Fig. l5,it is composed of two concentric cylinders 9B, 95a spaced apart adistance corresponding to the diameter of the bobbin butts but less thanthat of the bobbin rings c. The outer cylinder 93 is formed with aspiral slot 9? the upper end of which opens tangentially of the cylinderin alinement with a guide 91a on the slide 23, the guide being attachedto the upper end of the magazine by a bracket 961). The inner cylinderSila is formed with a spiral groove S8 in opposed relation to the slot9'! so that the lower edges of the slot and groove are adapted to beengaged by the bobbin rings c (Fig. 15) to support the bobbins in theirpassage downwardly between the cylinders. It will be observed that thebobbins enter the magazine in an upright position and are disposedvertically during their downward passage. To permit of entry in thisposition, the outer cylinder is cut away at the upper end of the slot toform a passage ESC (Fig. 13).

The lower end of the slot 9'1 similarly opens tangentially of thecylinder 95 and merges into a curved slideway 99 such that beforeescaping from the magazine the bobbins may shift gradually from verticalto generally horizontal positions. In opposed relation to the slideway99 is a guide |60, the spacing between the members being such as toaccommodate the butt ends of the bobbins.

The specific construction of the magazine will be evident from Fig. 15.In addition to the cylinders 98 and 96a it comprises a top plate |0| anda bottom plate |92 with spacers ISS between the two cylinders located insuitably spaced vertical relation. At one side of the magazine the twocylinders have downwardly projecting portions w3c and lb containing thelower end portion of the guideway S1.

The magazine is supported by means of a bracket |64 attached to theframe 2l and also by a bracket |05 spaced below the bracket |04. A tierod I 05 extends upwardly from the bracket through the bracket |04 andbottom plate |02 and is connected at its upper end to the top plate |0|of the magazine. A spacer sleeve lill is interposed between the bracket|05 and the bottom plate |02 of the magazine and the tie rod is providedwith a nut |08 to clamp the parts together.

In the embodiment of the invention, the bobbins are permitted to enterthe magazine freely from the slideway 23. As they enter upon the bottomslideway 99 (Fig. 14) they engage a pair of escapement fingers |09 and||D mounted on a .rockshaft HI (Figs. 14 and 16) and arranged foractuation by a crank and pitman connection I'Ha with the transportconveyor le. Since the bobbins :nove along the slide 99 'at random, theiin'gers |09, HIJ are yieldably connected with 'the .rockshaft inthesame way as 'the lingers 69, I (Fig. 11).

The fingers |99, HB have their end portions spaced aparta distancecorresponding to the diameter of the butt ends of the bobbins so as torelease one bobbin at a time. In order to position the bobbins inperpendicular relation to the slideway at the point of entry of theescapement fingers between adjacent bobbins, the lower finger H0 ispreferably constructed in two parts H2 and I3 rigidly secured togetherbut spaced apart as shown clearly in Fig. 14 so that the portion H2engages the butt end of the bobbin H3 and the tip end thereof.

Upon their release by the escapement fingers Hit, H52, the bobbins moveto the bottom of the slideway St where they are released from themagazine by a pair of escapernent iing'ers H4, H These fingers areconstructed like the fingers "il, i2 in the previous modification andserve to release the bobbins one at a time to the bobbin receptacles Il.

As set forth in my said copending application, the transport conveyor leis operatively associated with the winding machine and, in addition toperforming the function of carrying empty bobbins into position fortransfer to their respective winding units, may serve additionally tocarry wound bobbins defied from the machine at the end of the precedingcycle to a predetermined delivery point. llShe operation of thetransport conveyor is thereforecorrelated with the operation of thewinding machine- Referring now to Figs. 16 and 18 of the drawings, thetransport conveyor comprises two end,- less sprocket chains H5 runningover sprockets on a drive shaft I It, and an idler shaft The two chainsare disposed in laterally spaced relation and equipped with the bobbinreceptacles I7 and also with a second series` of bobbin pockets i8 (Fig.19), the latter alternating with the receptacles ill. The shafts H5 andare suitably journaled in the frame of the winding machine so that theconveyor is supported with the upper run thereof below a series ofwinding units I9. Each of said unit-s includes a winding spindie |26with a chuck |2| for gripping therbutt end of the bobbin, a centeringslide |22fwith a tip |22a for engagement withthe tip end of the bobbinand a yarn traversing cam |23 (shown schematically in Fig. 24)encircling the spindle and mounted in a slide |23a for movement axial-1y of the bobbin as it is wound. For a complete disclosure of theconstruction of the winding units, reference is made to Marcellus PatentNo. 2,409,639. y f

Upon the completion of one winding cycle, Wound bobbins are doffed fromeach of the winding units by withdrawal of their respective centeringslides |22, the bobbins dropping into underlying pockets H3 on theconveyor. Thereupon, empty bobbins are transferred from the receptaclesto the winding units, preparatory to the next winding cycle. This isaccomplished in the manner disclosed in my said. copending application,by means of the transfer devices I9. there being one for each windinglunit. The transfer devices comprise transfer arms |24 mounted uponparallel roclrshafts |2i carrying lever arms |26 and actuated,simultaneously by a pulley connection bar |21 operatively associated4with the cam` 20 forming part of the cycling' mechanism 5 of thewinding machine.

As seen in Fig. 16, each ofthe bobbin receptacles l1 is made in twoalined sections respectively supported on the chains H5 and arranged tolsupportthe empty bobbins with the butt ends thereof resting in the'sections la and the tip lends in the section Il'b. The two sections arethus spaced apart so that `the intermediate portion of each bobbin maybe engaged by a pair of notched fingers 2'9 mounted on the free ends ofthe arm |24.

In accordance 'with the present invention, the supply conveyor iscontrolled in its operation so that it is advanced in timed relation tothe winding machine cycle and stopped when the supply bottin-s themagazine is sufficient to moet the requirements of the machine -in thenext winding cycle. For this purpose. l provide a control mechanismwhich, first "above indicated, may be either` electrical or mechanicalin -clifaracter. In either case, the supply conveyor is initiated inoperation at the saine `tune 'as or substantially concurrently with themovement Voi? the bobbins out or 'the magazine in the operation of 'thetransport conveyor, 'and stopped when a predete'r. ined number ofbobbins has been received in the magazine as determined by the operationof a feeler associated with the upper poi-tion, or the magazine andresponsive to the number of bobbi'ris received in the magazine either bydetecting the accumulation of a predetermined number of bobbins in themagazine or the number of bobbins delivered thereto.

The control mechanism shown in Figs. 16 to 23 is entirely mechanicalexcept -for the use of electric drive motors. The transport conveyor isdriven by an electric motor |30 through the medium of a speed reducerI3! having a belt and |32 with the motor. The sprocket drive shaft H6constitutes the output shaft of the speed reducer and the operation ofthis shaft is under the control of a. clutch |33 operatively associatedwith one of the rockshafts The clutch |33 is engaged to start thetransport conveyor I6 at or near the beginning of each winding cycle ofthe machine so that during such cycle, the bobbins wound in thepreceding cycle are advanced to their predetermined point of deliveryand a group of empty bobbiris carried into position for transfer to thewinding units.. Engagement of the clutch is accomplished in the presentinstance through the medium of a. lever means |36, a slide |35 having adisengageable connection with the lever means and an arm |36 fast on oneof the rockshaf'ts |25. Y Themlelver means comprises a clutch Shiftingarm |31 `fiilcrumed intermediate its ends and pivoted to a second lever|38 similarly flcrum'ed. A coiled contractile spring |39 tends to swingthese levers in a direction to disengage the clutch. 'The slide |35 issuitably supported in a frame member |-35a and it carries an adjustableabutment in the form of a screw Ico for engagement with a roller |l||`on the arm |36. To the opposite end of the slide 'is pivoted a latchmember M2, and when this member occupies a position in blo'zkin'g"frelation to the lever |38, movement of the slide by the arm |36 will.effect engagement of the clutch |33. This occurs at 'or just prior. tothe beginning of each winding cycle as an incident to the return of thetransfer arms` |24 by the cam 2li'` of the machine cycling mechanism; Aspring |42 tends to swing latch member |42 downwardly (Fig. 19) and tohold a stop pin |421) on the slide against the frame member |3511.

In the relationship of the parts shown in Fig. 16, the latch |42occupies a blocking position relative to the free end of the lever |38and serves to hold the clutch engaged and the conveyor in motion. Thelatch is disengaged from the lever to stop the conveyor by an outputcounter |43 driven by the conveyor. The clutch disengaging means, asherein shown, comprises a pivoted dog 44 carrying at one end a screw |45underlying the latch |42 and having its other end arranged for actuationby the counter |43. The latter comprises a driven gear |46 and a singletoothed driving gear |41 fast on the sprocket drive shaft H6, a steppingmovement being imparted to the gear |45 with each revolution of thesprocket shaft. On the gear |46 is a lug |48 engageable with the dog |44to trip the latter upon the movement of a predetermined number of emptybobbins into positions adjacent their respective winding units. As willbe clear from Fig. 16, the lug |48 on gear |45 actuates the dog |44 tolift latch |42 (Fig. 19) and thereby release the lever |38 to the actionof the spring |39 so as to effect disengagement of the clutch.

Reengagement of the latch |42 with the lever |38 preparatory to the nextadvance of the conveyor, occurs upon the completion of a winding cycleof the machine, when the transfer arms |24 are actuated by the cam 29 tocarry empty bobbins from the receptacle I1 to the winding units. In thisoperation, the arm |36 is swung in a direction to permit movement of theslide by the spring |42a. After a limited movement of the slide, latchmember |42 is permitted to drop into blocking relation to the lever Itwill thus be seen that with the drive motor |30 operating continuously,the clutch |33 is engaged to advance the conveyor during one Windingcycle so as to present a group of empty bobbins to their respectiveWinding units and to carry the correspondinggroup of doffed woundbobbins to the predetermined point of delivery. The extent of movementis determined by the gear output counter |43 and its lug so that afterthe advance of the conveyor the required dis- Vin this operation, thelatch |42 is reengaged with the lever |38 preparatory to the nextadvance of the conveyor during the succeeding cycle. It will of coursebe understood that in each advancing movement of the transport conveyor,empty bobbins are delivered to the receptacles |1 by the operation ofthe escapement fingers ||4, ||5, the latter being actuated by therockshaft driven from the sprocket shaft :n through the crank and pitmanconnection In this embodiment of the invention, the supply conveyor 2|is actuated by its motor 31 through the medium of the speed reducer 31handan interposed clutch |49, in an arrangement such that the conveyor isstarted automatically upon the release of empty bobbins to thereceptac1es`|1 in the operation of the transport conveyor, and isstopped when a predetermined number of bobbins has accumulated in themagazine. The clutch has a shifting lever |551 (Fig.

16) normally held in engaged position against the action of a spring |5|by a latch |52 controlled by a feeler device |53 reponsive to thepresence of a predetermined number of bobbins in the magazine. For apurpose which will presently appear, the latch |52 is yieldably mounted(Fig. 1'1) on a bar |52a pivotally connected with the shifting lever|50.

The feeler device is arranged for periodic actuation toward and from thespiral path through which the empty bobbins pass in their descentthrough the magazine, the device being herein shown as associated withthe upper portion of that path. The feeler device comprises a rod |53ahaving a feeler shoe |54 at one end thereof and its other end mounted ona oating lever |55 pivoted at |56 on an arm |51 carried by a constantlyoscillating rockshaft |58. A spring |59 tends to hold the lever againsta stop |60, but when the feeler shoe |54 is blocked so as to beincapable of entering the spiral slot 91, the upper end of the levermoves away from its stop |63 against the action of the spring |59. Thusit moves out of blocking relation to the latch |52, releasing the latchand thereby the clutch member |53 to the spring |5|, to causedisengagement of the clutch. The shaft |58 is oscillated in the presentinstance by means of a cam |5| on the sprocket shaft 36h of the supplyconveyor 2|. The cam operates upon a lever |53 fulcrumed intermediateits ends and connected by a link |64 with an arm |35 on the rockshaft|58.

In view of the fact that the bobbins move through the magazine in randomrelation, the feeler device is constructed so as not to be responsive tothe presence of a single bobbin in the path of the shoe |54. For thispurpose, the shoe is made of substantial width (Fig. 21) and is pivotedat its center upon the rod |530., the arrangement being such that eachend of the shoe must engage with a bobbin before the feeler device iseffectually blocked, the position occupied by the shoe when it engageswith only one bobbin being shown in broken lines in Fig. 21. A pair ofstop pins |66 (Fig. 21) respectively engage with opposite ends of theshoe when the latter moves in a direction away from the magazine so asto restore the shoe to an intermediate position with its forward surfaceconcentric with the periphery of the magazine.

Reengagement of the clutch |43 is accomplished under the control of thetransport conveyor so that after the delivery of a few empty bobbins tothe latter conveyor as an incident to a short advance thereof, thesupply conveyor is again actuated to replenish the supply of bobbins inthe magazine. For this purpose, an arm |61 is mounted on the upper endof a vertical rockshaft |63 suitably supported in the machine frame. Thearm is engageable with a lug |59 (Fig. 17) on the latch supporting bar|52a. At its lower end the shaft carries an arm |19 with a rollerfollower |1| engaged by a cam disk i12 driven by a speed reducer |13connected with thc idler sprocket shaft |1 of the conveyor. Thearrangement is such that at a predetermined time interval after thestart of the transport conveyor and the ensuing release of bobbins fromthe magazine, the rockshaft |68 is actuated to reengage the clutch |49and to reset the latch |52 with respect to the floating lever |55.Because of the movement of bobbins in spaced relation along their spiralpath, the feeler is no longer blocked and therefore occupies theposition shown in Figs. 16 and 17. Accordingly, movement of the latchbar |52a by the rockshaft |58 causes the latch to ride over the floatinglever and into holding engagement therewith. The operation of the supplyconveyor is thus resumed, pending interruption when the feeler |53 againdetects a filled condition of the magazine.

summarizing the operation of the mechanical control mechanism, thetransport conveyor is initiated in operation `by the cycling mechanism Iof the winding machine acting through the medium of the transfer devicesIt. This occurs near the end of the machine cycling operation just inadvance of the initiation of a new winding cycle. Thus, in the returnmovement o the transfer arms |24 (Fig. 16) the arm |35 on one or" therockshafts |25 actuates the slide |35 so as to shift the lever means |34against the action of spring |39 and cause engagement of the clutch |33.When the transport conveyor has been operated to advance thepredetermined number of bobbins into positions adjacent the respectivewinding units, lug |48 on gear` |45 trips dog |44 to disengage latch|152 from the lever It, releasing the lever means to the action ofspring |33 and disengaging the clutch. Latch |42 i5 reengaged with lever|38 as an incident to `the operation of the transfer devices I9 duringthe succeeding operation of the cycling mechanism l5.

In the advance of the transport conveyor, empty bobbins are deliveredone-by-one to the receptacles I1 in the operation of the escapementlingers IM, |I5 which are oscillated in timed relation to the conveyor.Release of bobbins from the lower end of the magazine results in adownward movement of the bobbns in the upper portion of the magazine outof the path of the feeler |53 so that floating lever |55 again assumesits active position. Accordingly, in the next operation of rockshaft|68, bar I52a and lever |50 are actuated to engage clutch |49, and

the latter is held engaged by latch |52 coacting with the floatinglever` |55. Operation of the conveyor continues until the number ofbobbins accumulating in the magazine is suiiicient to block the feeler|53 and cause the floating lever |55 to move out of engagement with thelatch |52, thereby releasing the clutch shifting bar |52@ to the actionof spring |5| to disengage the clutch. It will be understood that theterm magazine as herein used is intended to include any suitablestructure for accumulating the supply of empty bobbins under the controlof the feeler.

In Figs. 24 and 25, I have shown two electrical control mechanismsrespectively adapted for use with. the two types oi emptypbobbinmagazines shown in the embodiments of Figs 1 to`12 and 13 to 1.5, andperforming in general the same functions as the mechanical control abovedescribed.

Referring irst to Fig. 24, the driving motors 31 and Hillv for thesupply and transport conveyors I5 and 2| respectively are controlled byan electromagnetic relay generally designated in conjunction with aswitch |13 operated by the winding machine during each winding cycle andtwo control switches |11 and |18. The first of these control switches isresponsive to the delivery by the transport conveyor o a predeterminednumber of empty bobbins into positions adjacent the respective windingunits I4 and the other is responsive.. to the delivery of a`corresponding number of bobbins to the magazine.

The relay |15 comprises an armature in the `form of an elongated bar ISII having an actuating coil I8| and a pair of disks |32 and |83 formingthe movable contact elements Aof two switches |34 and |85. Uponenergization of the coil ISI, the armature bar moves in a direction toclose the switches |84 and |85 (to the right in Fig. 4) against theaction of a coiled spring |36 tending to hold the bar against a stop|8Sc. The armature bar is adapted to be held in switch closing positionby two latch devices |31 and'ISB, comn prising lugs |89 and |90 formedon the bar, and latch elements I9| and |32 having stems |33 and |94constituting armatures for two coils |95 and |85. In general, thearrangement is such that the armature bar |50 is moved in a switchclosing position upon energization of the coil |8I, is held in suchposition against the action of the spring |36 by the latch devices |31and |35, and is released for movement in a switch open-A ing directionbythe energization of the coils |55 and |95, the former controlled byswitch |11 responsive to the movement of the transport conveyor indelivering a predetermined number of empty bobbins to the winding units,and the latter controlled by 'switch I'I responsive to the passage intothe magazine of a corresponding number of bobbins.

In the instant embodiment of the invention, the transport and supplyconveyors are started in operation by the winding machine immediatelyfollowing initiation of a winding cycle by the cycling mechanism E5,through closure of the switch |16 controlling energization of the relaycoil ISI. As shown, this switch comprises a mow able contact element |91fast on a stem ist carry ing a cam block |29 and yieldably supported ina stationary part of the winding machine frame. The switch is closed inthe initial portion or" the advancing movement of the traverse slideI23a, by a cam block 23@ mounted on a lever IlI piv oted to the traverseslide |23a, the lever being held against a stop 232 by a spring 203 soas to be yieldable in the return of the slide to its initial retractedposition at the conclusion of the windn ing cycle.

The switch Ill controlling energization of relay latch coil |35 isarranged for actuation by a cam 2M forming part of an output counter i.The latter is driven by the transport conveyor and is so timed withrespect to the operation of the conveyor that the cam 23d makes onecomplete revolution for each advance of the conveyor a distancesufficient to deliver the predetermined number of bobbins to therespective winding units. As shown, the cam 25d is fast on an outputshaft 2% of the counter, and the counter is actuated by a lateralextension 281 or" the idler sprocket shaft IIT ci the transportconveyor.

The switch |73 controlling energization of relay latch coil |55 issimilarly arranged for actuation by a cam 2te on the output shaft Zot ofan input counter EII! responsiveto the delivery of empty bobbins to themagazine It under the control of a freeler 2| I. In the presentinstance, the output shaft 259 oi the counter is driven by a pawl andratchet device LIZ actuated elecn tromagnetically in response to theoperation of the eeler 2|I. The pawl and ratchet device comprises aratchet wheel EIS operated by a pawl 2h?, pivoted on a lever 2HE. Thelatter carries a rod ZIE forming the armature of a coil 231 which WhelSsl'gd advances the lever E i against the action of a spring 2id. Thecoil 221 is con trolled by a switch 2| 3 having a stationary con-

